Michael Metcalf and Sarah Elwyn

1. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook).
   New England Historic Genealogical Society. Massachusetts, Town Marriage Records, 1620-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.
2. "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/), FHL microfilm 993,665.
3. H. L. Peter Rounds, C.G., Abstracts of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate Records, 1687-1745 (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.; Baltimore, MD; 1988).
4. Ancestry.com. Norfolk, England, Church of England Baptism, Marriages, and Burials, 1535-1812 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Church of England Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office, Norwich, Norfolk, England.
5. Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.
6. Cutter, William Richard, American Biography, Vol. 10, American Historical Society, 1922, p. 11.
7. Ancestry.com. Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Vital Records, 1642-1896 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2000. Original data: Arnold, James N. Vital Record of Rehoboth, 1642-1896. Providence, RI, USA: Narragansett Historical Publishing, 1897.
8. Ancestry.com. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010. Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012.
9. "The Founders of New England," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 14, No. 4, Oct 1860, 325.
10. Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Boston, 1862, retrieved from http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/newengland/savage/, Nov 2012.
11. Slafter, Carlos, "Schools and Teachers of Dedham," Dedham Historical Register, Vol. 1, Jul 1890, pgs. 93.
12. Metcalf, Isaac Stevens, Metcalf Genealogy, Cleveland, Ohio: The Imperial Press, 1898, pgs. 6-20.
13. Harris, Dr. Luther Metcalf, "Metcalf Family," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 6, Apr 1852, pgs. 171-178 (171-173 inclusive).
14. Dedham, MA: Vital Records, 1635 - 1845 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007), (The Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths, and Intentions of Marriage, in the Town of Dedham. Volumes 1 & 2. Edited by Don Gleason Hill, Dedham, MA, 1886.)
15. Bristol County (Mass.) Probate Records 1690-1881; Author: Bristol County (Massachusetts). Register of Probate; Probate Place: Bristol, Massachusetts. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Massachusetts County, District and Probate Courts.
16. Gravestones of Nathaniel and Martha (Metcalf) Stow, Old Hill Burying Ground, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts.
17. Gravestone of Thomas Metcalf, Old Village Cemetery, Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts.
18. Gravestone of Philip Walker, Newman Cemetery, East Providence, Providence, Rhode Island.

Records related to Michael and Sarah (Elwyn) Metcalf but not copied below due to copyright considerations:

1. Banks, Charles Edward, "Genealogical Research in England: Metcalf," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 80 (Jul 1926), pgs. 312-313.
2. Moriarty, G. Andrews, "Metcalf: Additional Records," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 86, Jul 1932, pgs. 252-256.
3. Bush, Richard L., "The English Ancestry of Michael and Sarah (Elwyn) Metcalf of Dedham, Massachusetts," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 166 (Jan 2012), pgs. 28-39.
4. Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes 1-3; The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volumes 1-6. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996-2011, entry for Robert Onion.
5. Moriarty, G. Andrews, "The Elwyns of Norfolk," Miscellanea Genelogica et Heraldica, 5th series, Vol. 6, London: Mitchell Hughes and Clarke, 1926-28, pgs. 17-32.

Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England

Vol. 3
METCALF, frequently MEDCALF, in early rec.
JOHN, Medfield, s. of the first Michael, b. in Eng. m. 22 Mar. 1647, Mary, d. of Francis Chickering, had John, b. 21, bapt. 26 Mar. 1648; Michael, 20, bapt. 25 Aug. 1650; Mary, 9, bapt. 24 Oct. 1652; these all at Dedham; but at M. we kn. not that we name all, when enumer. Joseph, 22 Nov. 1658; and Hannah, 13 0ct. 1664. He was freem. 1647, and d. 27 Nov. 1675 unless this date belongs to his eldest 8.

MICHAEL, Dedham, b. 1586, at Tatterford, in Co. Norfolk, was a dornock weaver at Norwich, and free of the city, where all his ch. were b. m. 13 Oct. 1616, Sarah, had Michael, b. 13 Nov. 1617, d. soon; Mary, 14 Oct. 1618, but the geneal. of the fam. in Reg. VI. 173, says 14 Feb. 1619; Michael, again, 29 Aug. 1620; John, 5 or 15 Sept. 1622, bef. ment. Sarah, 10 Sept. 1624: Elizabeth 4 Oct. 1626; Martha, 27 Mar. or Oct. 1628, Thomas, 27 Dec. 1629 or 30; Ann, 1 Mar. 1631 or 34, d. soon; Jane, 24 Mar. 1632; and Rebecca, 5 Apr. 1635; his w. was b. at a village near Norwich, he says, 17 June 1593, but possib.the figures have been mistaken, as in the examin. one week bef. the sail. of the ship, call. I think, the Rose, of Yarmouth, from Yarmouth, Apr. 1637, he calls hims. 45 yrs; of age, and w. 39. "From the relig. tyranny" exercised a by Wren, then Bp. of Norwich, he felt forced to esc. even at the expense of separ. from his fam. for a time, and emb. at London, 17 Sept. 1636, for N. E. but was sadly tormented by equal tempests on the water, and the ship at Christmas put back to Plymouth; and so far was this a happiness that in Apr. foll. he had license for the whole. fam. to come; only 8 ch. are ment. in the custom-ho. docum. but can hardly doubt that the name of John was casually overlook.
At Boston he arr. "three days bef. mid. sum. with w. nine ch. and a serv." wh. was Thomas Comberbach, aged 16, I presume in one of the three ships ment. by Winthrop as coming in, from Ipswich, 20 June. He may have been br. of Joseph; was freem. 13 May 1640, or 18 May 1642, and, perhaps, swore on both days, tho. more prob. it is a fault of the Secr. as in the list appears. His w. d. 21 Feb. 1645, and he m. 13 Aug. foll. Martha, wid. of Thomas Pigg, or Pidge; and he d. 27 Dec. 1664. A very curious docum. his engagm. aft. 70 yrs. of age to keep the town ch. in 1656, is giv. in Geneal. Reg. X. 282. His will, made six wks. bef. gives to eight ch. Michael being d. and ea. of the ds. m. Martha hav. then a sec. or third h. to gr.ch. Michael, s. of Michael, and gr.ch. William Brignall, s. of d. Martha, wh. was a mem. of Roxbury ch. by her first h. and to Martha Bullard, d. of his w. Mary, m. 24 Nov. 1642, Henry Wilson, Sarah m. Robert Onion, was his sec. w. the first hav. d. in Apr. 1643; Elizabeth m. 5 Sept. 1648, Thomas Bancroft of Reading; Martha m. William Brignall, next, 2 Aug. 1654, Christopher Smith as the Geneal. Reg. VI. 173, says, tho. I doubt its correctness, for Christopher Smith in 1668, is nam. in his will. by Jonathan Fairbanks as h. of his d. Mary, and third h. . . . Stow; Jane m. 1654, Samuel Walker,[[vol. 3, p. 204]] (tho. strong, doubts of error in the name are felt) of Rehoboth ; and Rebecca m. 5 Apr. 1659, John Mackintosh.

MICHAEL, Dedham, eldest s. of the preced. b. in Eng. m. 2 or 12 Apr. 1644, Mary, d. of John Fairbanks, says the Metcalf geneal. bef. ment. but perhaps by mistake, had Michael, b. 21 Jan. 1645; Mary, 15 Aug. 1646; Sarah, 7 Dec. 1648; Jonathan, 21 Sep 1650; and Eleazer, 20 Mar. 1653, bef. ment. was freem. 1645, and d. (ten yrs. bef. his f.) 24 Dec. 1654. Mary m. 10 Dec. 1668, John Ware; and Sarah m. 4 June 1677, Robert Ware.

THOMAS, Dedham, youngest s. of the first Michael, b. in Eng. m. 12 Sept. 1656, Sarah Paige, had Sarah, b. 3 Mar. 1658; Mary, bapt. 25 Nov. 1660; Samuel, b. 17 0ct. 1661, d. soon; Thomas; 22 Sept. 1663, d. soon; Samuel, again, 17 Sept. 1668; Thomas, again, 7 or 21 May 1671; John, 20 Sept. 1675; and Judith, 25 Nov. 1677, d. at 5 yrs. The w. d. and he m. 2 Dec. 1679, Ann Paine of Rehoboth, was freem. 1653, deac. and rep. 1691, d. 16 Nov. 1702. Sarah m. 23 Nov. 1676, Samuel Whiting, and d. 1702.

MACKINTOSH
JOHN, Dedham, m. 5 Apr 1659, Rebecca, d. of the first Michael Metcalf, wh. d. bef. him, and by ano. w. had William, bapt. 25 Nov. 1665, prob. other ch.; d. 1691, in his will, made 13 Aug. pro. 28 Oct. foll. ment. w. Jane, and ch. William and Rachel.

ONION
ROBERT, Roxbury, came in the Blessing, from London 1635, aged 26, m. at R. but his w. Mary d. with her first ch. Apr. 1643; rem. to Dedham 1645, freem. 1646, had sec. w. Grace, wh. d. 16 Feb. 1647; and he m. Sarah, d. of Michael Metcalf, had Susanna, b. 27 May 1649; Mary, 16 Feb. 1651; Hannah, 6 July 1656; Joseph, 10, bapt. 22 Mar. 1663; Grace, 25 Mar. 1666; and possib. others.

Vol. 1
BANCROFT
THOMAS, Reading, s. of John the first, b. in Eng. m. at Dedham, 15 Sept. 1648, Elizabeth d. of Michael Metcalf, had Thomas, bapt. 28 Dec. 1651, d. [[vol. 1, p. 111]] soon; Elizabeth b. 7 Dec. 1653; Thomas, again; Sarah, 14 Mar. 1658, d. young; Ralph, 20 Aug. 1660, d. within 12 mos.; Ruhama, 27 June 1662; John; Ebenezer (or Eleazer, as in ano. rec. he is call.), 26 Apr. 1667; and Mary, 16 May 1670; was freem. 1678, and d. 12 Mar. 1705. His wid. d. 1 May 1711; and d. Elizabeth m. 26 May 1674, Joseph Brown.

BRIGNALL
WILLIAM, Dedham, m. Martha, d. of Michael Metcalf, had William, d. soon after, and his wid. m. 2 Aug. 1654, Christopher Smith. The s. was liv. when gr.f. made his will, in wh. he was rememb. ten yrs. later.

Vol. 3
PAINE
STEPHEN, Dedham, m. 3 Nov. 1652, Ann, d. of Francis Chickering, of wh. aft. hard search I can find no more, unless he be the Rehoboth man, and his wid. m. 2 Dec. 1679, Thomas Metcalf of D.

Vol. 4
SMITH
CHRISTOPHER, Dedham 1642, freem. 10 May 1643, m. 2 Aug. 1654, Martha, d. of Michael Metcalf the first, wid. of William Brignall, perhaps as sec. w. and d. soon aft., when the Metcalf pedigree in Geneal. Reg. VI. 173, says she took 3d h. a Stow.

WALKER
SAMUEL, Rehoboth, m. Joan, d. of the first Michael Metcalf, wh. names her in his will of Apr. 1654.

WILSON
HENRY, Dedham 1639, freem. 2 June 1641, m. 24 Nov. 1642, Mary, d. of Michael Metcalf the first, had Michael, b. 7 Aug. 1644; Mary, bapt. 21 Nov. 1652; Sarah, 22 Jan. 1654; Ephraim, June 1656.
 
Source: Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Boston, 1862, retrieved from http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/newengland/savage/, Nov 2012.

Cutter's American Biography

(II) Philip Walker is first mentioned in a deed bearing his signature, dated Rehoboth, 1653. He was grand juryman, May 17, 1655, took the oath of fidelity, June 1, 1658, was surveyor in 1657, constable in 1658, on the grand inquest in 1668 and 1678, selectman 1666-1675, deputy to the General Court at Plymouth in 1669, deacon of the church and subscribed twenty-six pounds to help carry on King Philip's War, only two persons in the town subscribing more than that amount. He died, and his funeral was held August 21, 1679. His estate, appraised six hundred and eighty-one pounds, was one of the largest in Rehoboth. His trade is given as "weaver." Philip Walker married, about 1654, Jane Metcalf, daughter of Michael Metcalf, of Dedham, who survived him and married a second husband, John Polley of Roxbury. Philip and Jane (Metcalf) Walker were the parents of ten children, descent in this branch being through Philip (2), the third child.

Source: Cutter, William Richard, American Biography, Vol. 10, American Historical Society, 1922, p. 11.

Isaac Stevens Metcalf's Metcalf Genealogy

But our American Metcalfs are descended from Brian, of Beare Park, the third son of James Metcalf of Nappay, who married Johanna, of Boughton. Their sons were Richard, Leonard, Nicholas and Roger. Leonard married a Thursby, and left children Leonard, Vincent, Godfrey, and Ambrose.

Leonard Metcalf, of Beare Park, in 1569 joined the Rising in the North, in the interest of Mary, Queen of Scots. He was condemned and attainted and narrowly escaped the scaffold. His name is first in the list of “Gentlemen prisoners at Carlisle, Dec, 1569.” His name is in the list of prisoners taken to Durham Castle, January, 1570. Eleven of them were indicted for “Conspiracy of Treason and Rebellion,” and all were condemned to die. Four were executed at once at York. The other seven were “Stayed for the second execution,” or until the Queen's pleasure; and it was represented to the Queen that Leonard Metcalf rose because the Earl of Northumberland did, and also that he had made state of his lands to his wife, so that by his life the Queen should have his lands, while by his death his wife should have them, so that the Queen should win by his life and lose by his death; and further that he had been taken for a very quiet, honest gentleman, and that he was generally lamented. The Queen's reply expressed her willingness to spare the lives of three, but “for the four, Metcalf, Lambert, Claxton and Conyers, we thynk it good that some furder example be showed and we refer the same to your own judgment.” But the Commissioners did not accept the discretion thus given them; and April 5, the Earl of Sussex wrote to Secretary Cecil, that the Queen “wanted some furder example of ye better sorte,” and that “Metcalf, Lambert, Claxton and Conyers ought to be executed.” But finally none of them were executed, probably for the sake of “ye landes.” The Bill of Attainder names “Leonard Metcalfe, late of Beare Park, Co. York, Esquire.”

The “coat of armes” of these old Yorkshire Metcalfs was everywhere, “Argent, three calves, passant sable,” with different quarterings in different branches of the family.

Our emigrant ancestor, Michael Metcalf, the Dornix or Embroidery Weaver, of Norwich, and the Metcalfs of Norwich, Tatterford and vicinity, in Norfolk county, were immediately descended from the Metcalfs of Beare Park and Nappa Hall in Northern Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Metcalfs, as far as known, were zealous Catholics; the Norfolk family were zealous Protestants, and Michael, at least, a staunch Puritan. When Leonard Metcalf was attainted for high treason, and lost his large estates in Yorkshire (which it is hinted may have been one reason for his condemnation, his lands being wanted for some new court favorite), his family left Yorkshire and settled in Norfolk. Religion was then largely a matter of politics. It is supposed that Leonard Metcalf himself, perhaps as a condition of his pardon, gave up his Catholicism, and after the loss of his property, eventually took holy orders under the state church, and twenty years after was the first Leonard Metcalf, Rector of the parish of Tatterford near Norwich. But it is perhaps more probable that this first Rector Metcalf of Tatterford was the son of Leonard Metcalf, the quondam traitor.

The earliest records extant of the parish of Tatterford, are copies in the registry of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, and commence about 1560. In 1580, et sequens, Leonard Metcalf was Rector of the Parish of Tatterford. Leonard Metcalf was succeeded by Richard Metcalf. In these records the name is spelled Metcalf, Metcalfe, Mettcalf and Mettcalfe. In 1585 is the entry of baptism of “Leonardus Metcalf, filius Leonardi Metcalf et Bapt fuit 3d die Septembris.” Again, “Michael Metcalf filius Leonardi Metcalf et bapt fuit 17th die June 1587.” Which confirms our records that Michael Metcalf, the Dornix Weaver, was born at Tatterford, Norfolk Co., June 17, 1587. There is no clue to the name of Leonard Metcalf’s wife, the mother of Michael.

Michael Metcalf's wife, Sarah Ellwyn, was born, our old records in this country say, “June 17, 1593, in the adjoining town of Waynham.” The adjoining town is Raynham, with parishes East, West, and South Raynham. And there has been quite a controversy over the name. The registers of all have been searched for the record of Sarah Ellwyn's birth and marriage. But further investigation has shown that Sarah Ellwyn was born in “Heigham,” the daughter of Thomas and Elisabeth Ellwyn. Thomas Ellwyn was born in 1564 and died in 1648. Sarah Ellwyn was born in Heigham, June 17, 1593, and was married to Michael Metcalf Oct. 13, 1616. Their seven oldest children were born and baptised in St. Benedicts, Norwich, Norfolk Co., and four younger children at St. Edmondsbury.

Michael Metcalf was made a Freeman of the city of Norwich, June 21, 1618. His occupation is stated as “Dornix Weaver.” This Dornic or Dornix was a kind of Damask or tapestry used for hangings or heavy curtains. And Michael Metcalf is supposed to have employed some hundred or more men in his shop or factory.

But he was a very zealous non-conformist, and became involved in a controversy with his Bishop. Matthew Wren, previously Bishop of Hereford, afterwards of Ely, was then Bishop of Norwich, and was very bitter, notorious, some writers say, in his persecutions of the Puritans, or of any who refused to conform. But in about twenty years all this was changed in England. Cromwell and the Independents or Puritans were in the ascendency; and Wren, then Bishop of Ely, was tried before a committee of Parliament for his abuse of the Puritans. In “Howell’s State Trials,” Vol. 4, page 33, of the 21 volume edition of 1816, one of the twenty-five Articles of Impeachment presented July 5, 1641, by Sir Thomas Waddington, member for Berwick, to the House of Commons, against Matthew Wren, late Bishop of Norwich and then Bishop of Ely, is the following :

“Art. XVI. That by means of the vigorous prosecutions and dealings in the precedent articles mentioned, and by reason of the superstitious bowing to, and afore the Table set Altarwise, the suspending, silencing, driving away of the faithful preaching Ministers, the suppressing and forbidding of sermons and prayers, the putting down of lectures, the suppressing means of knowledge and salvation, and introducing ignorance, superstition and prophaneness, many of his majesty's subjects, to the number of three thousand, many of which used trades, spinning, weaving, knitting, and making of cloth, stuffs, stockings and other manufactures of wool, — that is to say Daniel Sonning, Michael Metcalf, John Besant, Nicholas Metcalf, — Busby, John Derant, Widow Maxes, Richard Cook, John Dickes, Francis Laws, John Sentry, and many others, some of them setting a hundred poor people to work, have removed themselves, their families and estates, into Holland and other partes beyond the seas, and there set up and taught the natives the said manufactures, to the great hinderance of trade in this kingdom, and to the impoverishing and bringing to extreme want of very many who were by these parties set on work, to the great prejudice of his Majesty, and of his people.”

The defence of Bishop Wren introduced the recorded testimony of a Mr. Disployn, and of Messrs. With — father and son — of Cossay , who testified that “Michael and Nicholas Metcalf had uttered dangerous words against the King which could not longer be endured, and also that the said Michael slippit away and went to New England.”

Michael Metcalf’s own account was as follows, as taken from the N. E. Genealogical Register, Vol. 6, page 171:

“I was persecuted in the land of my fathers' sepulchres for not bowing at the name of Jesus and observing the ceremonies inforced upon me at the instance of Bishop Wren of Norwich, and his Chancellor Dr. Corbet, whose violent measures troubled me in the Bishop's court, and returned me into the High Commissioner's Court.

“Suffering many times for the cause of religion, I was forced for the sake of the liberty of my conscience to flee from my wife and children to go into New England ; taking ship for the voyage at London, 17th Sept., 1636, and being by tempests tossed up and down the seas till the Christmas following ; and then veering about to Plymouth in Old England. Leaving the ship I went down to Yarmouth, in Co. Norfolk, whence I finally shipped myself and family to come to New England; sailed April 15, 1637, and arrived three days before Midsummer with my wife, nine children, and a servant, Thomas Comberbach, aged 16.”

The passenger list of emigrants with the “John and Dorothy,” Master Wm. Andrews of Ipswich, as examined. April 8, 1637, includes Michael Metcalf and Sarah Metcalf, his wife, and eight children. It is probable that his second son, Joseph Metcalf, came to this country two years before his father, and was admitted a freeman at Dedham, March 4, 1635. Michael himself was admitted a freeman at Dedham, July 14, 1637.

The following letter was written before he made his first attempt to come to America. At the time of his writing he speaks of himself as an exile from his wife and children, “with whom he would have gladly continued if with liberty:”

“To all the true professors of Christ's Gospel, within the City of Norwich:

“The peace of God in Jesus Christ, the help, comfort and assistance of his Eternal Spirit be with you, my dear and loving wife, and all the rest of our loving friends, professors of Christ's Gospel and true religion, most purely taught and powerfully preached amongst you not long since, who now mourn for the miseries of God's people, and loss of your faithful minister, to your everlasting consolation in him — Amen.

“Our adversary the devil, as a mighty Nimrod and cunning hunter, doth continually compass the earth to and fro like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, ruling in the hearts of children of disobedience, stirring them up against the people of God. You know there ever hath been enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent; for as he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit. Gal. 4:29, even so it is now, for are there not beasts among you, after the manner of men, such as Paul fought with at Ephesus? Yea, surely I would they were cut off which trouble you. Persecutors they are of you, my friends, in the Apostle's phrase, alluding to Gen. 21 19. There you shall find Ishmael mocking and troubling of Isaac for his religion, called persecution by the Apostle Paul. And are there not such a scoffing generation of Ishmaelites among you, who hate you because you hate the thing that is good, and will not run with them into all excess of riots, and with their tongues do shout at them that are true of heart (as the prophet saith). He saith further, in the person of the church, that they that sit in the gates spake against me, and I was a song of the drunkard, for the just man is laughed to scorn (Job 12:4). The wicked watcheth the righteous man and seeketh to slay him (Psalm 37). I would wish that this viperous generation did not multiply in your city as they do. Among them are scoffing Ishmaelites, prophane Esaus, flattering dogs, subtile Ahithophels, children of this world, wiser in their generation than the children of light, but in the end will prove to be Solomon's fools.

“When I was among them I tasted of their burning charity, when some of them conspired against my life, as you know, accusing me Treason most unjustly. Some of my adversaries were at difference one with another, yet like Pilate and Herod, they became friends, and joined madness and malice against me. But God, who hated their conspiracy, so mollified the heart of one of the witnesses, that with tears she confessed I never spake any such words. Their malice being manifest to the world, their project was laid in the dust. Yet herewith not satisfied, they sent out their bloodhounds abroad, to smell out some new matter against me; but my God bounded their madness, and by death took away one of my chiefest enemies (Job 4: 7).

“My cause may well allude to the Prophet David's complaint against his enemies; saith he: ‘My enemies spake against me, and they that lay wait for my life take counsel together, but the Lord hath delivered me out of the hand of the wicked, from the unrighteous and evil man.’ To God I have referred my cause, to whom I leave it and them.

“You are not ignorant, I suppose, of the great trouble I sustained in the Archdeacon's and Bishop's Court, at the hands of my enemies, concerning the matter of bowing, as well as for other matters of like consequence. I alleged against them the scripture, the canons, and the book of common prayer, but the Chancellor replied he cared for none of them. I further alleged against them, the authority of Archbishops and Bishops, as also their great patron of Ceremonies, the learned Hooker, so called by them; together with a book called the Regiment of the Church, allowed by authority, which hath these words : ‘That the decrees and constitution of the Church of England must not be made a part of God's worship, neither holden necessary to our .salvation, as some have vainly in some of your hearings; for our Savior saith ‘in vain do they worship me who teach for doctrines the precepts of men.’ The Apostle condemneth all voluntary worship devised by men. Hooker after saith ‘Our church doth not enforce bowing at the name of Jesus against his conscience.’

“Notwithstanding these and more than these reasons alleged against them, their learned and invincible arguments to refute my assertions were these: ‘Blockhead, old heretick, the devil made you, I will send you to the devil;’ with other such twin stuff, unfitting terms to be used by a Judge in a court of Judicature. But of these, no more, for these words were not spoken in a corner but in a consistory.

“My loving friends, be not discouraged too much at innovations, now forced upon you, but never heretofore urged upon any man's conscience by any Bishop of the See of Norwich, since the Reformation ; but as the proverb says ‘New lords, new laws.’ Such doings make sad the hearts of God’s people. Let your faith and patience have their perfect work in these perilous times, now come upon you, by the sufferance of God.

“Be you cheerly. God is on your side, and his truth is your cause, and against you be none but the enemies of the cross of Christ, the serpent and his seed, the Ishmaelites and prophane Esaus of this wicked world, children of the malignant church, such as the Lord hath always abhorred and in all ages resisted and overthrown. God from whom nothing is hid knoweth what they are. He hath found out your enemies to be prophane, malicious, proud, disdainful, filthy, shameless, persecutors of and despiteful against his people and truth. The spirit of God doth describe them in the Scripture by the names of serpents, lions, dogs, bulls, bears, wolves, swine, beasts, &c.; teaching us to understand that their natural inclination is, as much as in them lieth, to bring into trouble and bonds all those who live godly in Christ; but the Lord, with his right arm, will defend his little distressed flock against his and your enemies who do conspire against your precious faith and liberty. In the meantime, my friends, have patience while they rage; let them curse, ban, rage and become mad against you, casting the dirt of aspersion at your faces, not hating you for your vices, but for your virtues — Cain like; and had they power with their will, surely they would cast fire and fagot at your faces. These Jehus, I do hope, march too furious to hold out long. They may haply prove but summer birds. The Lord hath bounded their madness that they shall not do more to you than he will suffer them to do. God doth try his people in the furnace of affliction, and he that suffereth patiently for his Christian profession is hereby known to be of Christ; even so are the persecutors and opposers of God’s people known to be enemies of the cross of Christ. Besides, their injustice may be the means the sooner to provoke the Lord to take pity on you, and to punish them that so despitefully use you; for though God suffer them for a time, in their pride, yet shall they not always escape his avenging hand. They are his rods, and when he hath worn them to the stumps, then will he cast them forth into the fire. This shall be their final reward. Your duty is in the mean while patiently to abide the will of God, who worketh all things for the best for you.

“Oh Norwich! the beauty of my native country! what shall I say unto thee? Thou art little inferior to any of thy sister cities within this kingdom. Famous hast thou been for religion throughout this island. The Gospel of Christ Jesus hath been purely and powerfully taught, to thy great honor, and ye joy and rejoicing of thy religious inhabitants. Thy God hath adorned thee with such a succession of godly and able preachers, within some of thy churches, that few congregations, I suppose, have had the like ; who so faithfully have taught their people, both by life and doctrine, to your everlasting fame ; carefully preaching and defending the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, with other truths of the true Protestant faith, against the defenders of the stinking tenets of Arminius, that enemy of God, so called by King James, i. e., ye 1st.

“Also my friends, what comfort is it now to you to learn what your city hath formerly been for Christ's true religion taught in her? The question, what is she now? Surely much relapsed and fallen from her love and purity of life and doctrine. Would to God thy spiritual fathers had not tasted the sour grapes whereby most of the children's teeth are set on edge. For many strange things are now preached in thine ears by thy new preachers which your old preachers would never have endured. But the religion of these novelists consisteth in formalities, they striving to use the desk above the pulpit, teaching the people less preaching may now serve, were it not to preach down schism and faction, as at Winsor Visitation. Another he makes it arbitrary whether or not the Pope be Antichrist, as Burgess in my hearing at the Cathedral in Norwich.

“My friends, beware of them that preach to you with the enticing words of Man's wisdom, and do chalk out a nearer way to heaven than they shall find, I fear, that walk in it.”

MICHAEL METCALF GENEALOGY

Michael Metcalf, son of Rev. Leonard Metcalf, Rector of Tatterford, was born at Tatterford, Norfolk Co., England, June 17, 1587.

Sarah Elwyn, daughter of Thomas and Elisabeth Elwyn, was born at Hingham, Norfolk Co., England, June 17, 1593.

They were married in Hingham, Oct. 13, 1616. They sailed for New England, April 15, 1637. Their children:

1. Michael, born Nov. 13, 161 7, died young.
2. Mary (or Marcy), born Feb. 14, 1619, married Henry Wilson, Nov. 24, 1642.
3. Michael, born Aug. 29, 1620.
4. John, born Sept. 5, 1622, married Mary, daughter of Francis Chickering:, March 22, 1647; died in Dedham, Mass., Nov. 27, 1675; left children:

John. March 21, 1648.
Michael, Aug. 20, 1650.
Mary, Oct. 2, 1652.
Joseph, 1658, in Medfield.

5. John removed to Medfield, where he had other children.
6. Sarah, born Sept. 10, 1624. Married Robert Onion, of Dedham.
7. Elisabeth, born Oct. 4, 1626. Married Sept. 15, 1648, Thomas Bancroft, of Reading.
8. Martha, born March 27, 1628. Married ist, Wm. Brignall ; 2nd, Aug, 2, 1654, Christopher Smith; 3d, Stow.
9. Thomas, born Dec. 27, 1629 (one old record makes Thomas 4th child, born Jan. 7, 1622). He married ist, Sept 12, 1655, Sarah Paige; 2nd, Dec. 2. 1679. Thomas was Deacon at Dedham, and died Nov. 16, 1702.
10. Ann, (called also Joanne) born March i, 163 1. Died young.
11. Jane, bom March 24, 1632. Married Samuel Walker, of Rehoboth.
12. Rebeka, born April 5, 1635. Married April 5, 1659, John Mackintosh, of Dedham.

 

FIRST GENERATION.

Michael Metcalf, the “Dornick Weaver” of Norwich, (Dornick, a kind of stuff used for Curtains, Carpets, and Hangings, so called from Doornick or Toumay, a city in Flanders, where it was first made. Phillip's Dec. London, 1706.) Michael Metcalf was admitted a Townsman at Dedham, Mass., July 14, 1637; joined the church January, 1639; was Selectman in 1641. His name stands first on the committee to “Contrive the fabricke of a new meeting house.” In 1661, we read of the brickmaking, “one of the principal clay pits being on the land of Michael Metcalf, Dedham Island.” His wife, Sarah Elwyn, died Nov. 30, 1644. He married 2nd, Widow Mary Pidge, of Roxbury, Aug. 13, 1645.

Michael Metcalf died Dec. 27, 1664. Will proved and inventory of estate taken Feb. 1, 1665:  £364 18s. 5d.

Abstract of will of Michael Metcalfe, 1 5-9-1664.

“Michael Metcalfe senior, of Dedham, being aged. Doe make this my Last Will. Wheras, there is a Couenant Between my selfe and Mary my Wife, made before our marriage, bearing Date the 13 of August 1645, wherin it may apear that she reserved to herselfe, and to her dispose, her Lands, and Estate, so that I received no Estate with her: Yet, neuerthelesse, I giue unto her ffor the terme of her widowhood, in household stuffe, and other goods, as shee thinkes meete to Chuse, for her use, not exceeding the value of sixteene pounds, and not being such as I shall particularly Dispose of, in this my Last will, which household stuffe, so chosen by her, shall Bee to ffurnishe the Roome, which my Executor shall prepare for her, at his house, to Receiue her into, after my Decease. All which household stuffe and goods, I giue to my Executor, to haue, after the Decease of my wife. Unto my wife, six pounds, to be paid to her, within one month after my Decease, in Current pay. Unto Sonne John Metcalfe, of Medfeild, one ffeather and Bolster, my second book of Martyrs, Mr. Perkin's second book, Luther on the gala, one siluer spoon, one pair of sheets, one Long Chest, in the upper Chamber, one Diaper Boardcloth. Unto my Executor & his Heires, all that my Land in Neponset plaine, and three Acres Laying in ye Low-plaine, next Peter Woodward's, Also halfe my Diuident in ye Cedar swampe, neer the Saw Mill, & 3 Commons & ye odde. Unto my Grandchild Michael Metcalfe, the Elder, all that my Land and Improuments within the Lott I Dwell in, my three acres in y wigwaom plaine, my swompe next my house, prouided he giue my Executor that Little parcel of his swampe west end of his house, otherwise my gift to be uoid. Also I giue him my Naticke Diuidend of twentythree acres, more or lesse; four Cow Commons ; halfe my Cedar swampe, at the Saw Mill; my wood Land, at the West of the Toune; all the particulars I haue belonging to husbandry, in one Kind or another; all the Remained of my Household stuff e not Disposed of in this my Will. Also my first Book of Martyrs, Mr. Perkins first Booke, one siluer spoone. To my Daughter Wilson, ffortye shillings. To my Daughter Elisabeth Bancrafte, ffiue pounds. To my Daughter Martha Stowe, twenty shillings. To my Daughter, Jane Walker, forty shillings. To my Daughter Rebecca Mackentosh, ffiue pounds. To my wife's Daughter, Martha Bullard, twenty shillings. To my Daughter, Sarah Onion, three pounds. All which six Legacyes, Last named, shall be paid at, in, or Before, the second March next after my Decease, in Current payment. To my Daughter Stowe's Eldest Sonne, which she had by her first husband, Wm. Brignall ffour pounds, to be paid him, when he shall attayne to Lawful age. To my Grandchild, Jno. Mackintosh, & Robert Onion, all my wearing apparel, to be equally diuided by my Execut, in order as their names bee heer set donn ; my Grand Child to choose ffirst : — To my Grandchild, aboue said, all the Lumber in my house. Moreouer, if any of ye psons that are Legatees in yt my present will, shall by themselues, or by any others, make or Cause to be made, any Disturbance, or Contortion, in word or Deed in Reference to any thing giuen, in this my Will; then, all that Legacye, to that pson, shall be utterly uoyde. Thomas Metcalf, of Dedham, my sonne, to be my executor, to whom I giue all the Rest of my Lands and Goods, not formerly Disposed of.

Michael Metcalfe

Before the witnessing hereof, I giue to my Grand Child, abouesaid, my single acre of Meddow ; also my Largest gray Horsmans Coate, also tuo oxen, one Cow, to be Deliuered to him at Lawful age. All the Books, aforesaid, giuen to my sonne John, after his death, I giue them his sonne Michael my Grandchilde.

Signed and sealed in the presence of us.
Peter X Woodward,
his mark.                                                                    Edward Ranson,
Jonathan ffairbanke.                                                                               Recorder.

Source: Metcalf, Isaac Stevens, Metcalf Genealogy, Cleveland, Ohio: The Imperial Press, 1898, pgs. 6-20.

Schools and Teachers of Dedham

But in December of that year the Selectmen bethought themselves of their venerable neighbor by the following passage in their records:

to be proposed at the generall meetinge that a School Mr being not yet attained, nor like conveniently to be speedily Supplyed & the late select men conceaveing that Brother Metcalf might be usefull that waye, & being treated withall seemes not wholly averse, it is desired the towne would consider it at present and declare them selves.

On the “5th of the 11 mo 1656” the Town did “declare themselves” as follows:

The Towne did by voate give a call to Bro. Metcalfe to keep schoole in our Towne & leave it to the Select men to agree with him therein.

The former schoolmaster, Joshua Fisher, now becomes Town Clerk, and in his handwriting we find the contract made with Mr. Metcalf.

9 of 11 mo 1656. Agreed with Michaell Metcalfe for to keep the schoole for the year insuinge, the said Michael doe undertake to teach the children that shall be sent to him to reade English and to write: all which he do undertake faithfully to do: in consideration whereof we doe engage he shall receive from the town the summe of twenty pounds two therd partes in wheate att the price of the towne or Countrie Rate and the other parte of the paye in other corne at price above mentioned, and the schoole to be kept at the school house except the weather be extreame to hinder, and then he is to atend it at his owne dwellinge house: and the towne is to take care to have the harth layde in the schoole house forth with, and to have the windows made fit: & wood for the fire to be layd in att the schoole house: we ingage to call upon the parents of the children that thay carefully provide it in due time.

And it is agreed that the thord part above expressed to be payed in other corne shall not bee above one therd part in Indian corne: and in the heat of the weather if the said Michael desire to use the metinge house he may so doe provided the house be left clene against any publiq use of the house, and also that the windows be made good if any be broken, and any other damage made good that is done by the use of the metinge house in that kind: and the school to begin the 19 day of this present mo: and the pay is to be quarterly as is above expressed, that is 5£ a quarter.

It is hardly to be supposed that Mr. Metcalf taught only reading and writing, but rather that he agreed to teach these at least to all the pupils. There is now in existence the identical arithmetic which he used as as a teacher of the school. This book, an enlarged edition of Robert Record's arithmetic, was published in 1630, and is now in the archives of the Dedham Historical Society. He is said to have been born in 1586, consequently he was seventy years old when he became a schoolmaster. He was evidently much respected for intelligence, which caused his townsmen to turn to him for assistance in the business of education.

That any dissatisfaction should appear to annoy Mr. Metcalf seems very strange; but here is proof that some were ready to find fault. Clerk Fisher made this record:

10th of the 12 mo 1656. Upon the complaint of some of the Inhabitance that the school Master refuse to teach such chlidring as are above fourteen yeares of age the men hereunder named are deputed to goe and treate with the school master about the covenant wherin it is expressed he should teach all that are sent to him to wright and read.

The trouble did not become serious, for in a few days at a general meeting,

The Town doe give Micell Metcalfe a call to keep school the year insuinge and leave it to the next select men to agree with him for 20£ a yeare.

Near the end of his second year, on the fourth of the twelfth month, he was requested to keep another year, when his reply was “that at present he was not ripe to give an answer,” so it was agreed that he should continue a month on the same terms as before, and then they might come to an agreement. At the end of the month they made a similar contract with Mr. Metcalf for a year, “or so long therein as God shall enable him.” It was specified “that if any inhabitant shall take any child or children to that end to send them to schoole” the schoolmaster might refuse to teach them until they gave him satisfaction. It was also provided

that he shall be required no more highe waye work, but only one daye work of one man & a teame, and one day more of a man. And no advantage shall be taken to discount for not attending the Schoole except it be discontinued a full weeke together.

But it is evident that this year was not completed according to the contract. On the 6th of the 10th month “the want of a school Mr” was a subject of debate in the board of Selectmen.

Source: Slafter, Carlos, "Schools and Teachers of Dedham," Dedham Historical Register, Vol. 1, Jul 1890, pgs. 93.

METCALF FAMILY

[Communicated by Dr. Luther Metcalf Harris, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Mass.]

Michael Metcalf, the emigrant ancestor of this family, was born in Tatterford, county of Norfolk, Eng., 1586. He followed the occupation of a Dornix* weaver, in the city of Norwich, in the same county, where he was made freeman, June 21, 1618. His wife, Sarah, was born in the adjoining town of Waynham, (?) June 17, 1593, where they were married Oct^r 13, 1616. Their seven eldest children were born in St. Benedict's, Norwich, and four, afterward, at St. Edmondsbury. “I was persecuted,” he writes, “in the land of my father's sepulchres, for not bowing at the name of Jesus, and observing other ceremonies in religion, forced upon me, at the instance of Bishop Wren of Norwich and his chancellor Dr. Corbet, whose violent measures troubled me in the Bishop's Court, and returned me into the High Commissioners’ Court. Suffering many times for the cause of religion, I was forced, for the sake of the liberty of my conscience, to flee from my wife and children, to go into New-England; taking ship for the voyage at London the 17th of Sep^t 1636; being by tempests tossed up and down the seas till the Christmas following; then veering about to Plymouth in Old England; in which time I met with many sore afflictions.

Leaving the ship, I went down to Yarmouth, in Norfolk county, whence I shipped myself and family, to come to New England; sailed 15^th April, 1637, and arrived three days before midsummer, with my wife, nine children, and a servant. The name of this servant, appears to have been Thomas Comberbach, aged 16. (Manuscript of Hon. James Savage.)

The above extracts, we take from a copy of his letter, written in Plymouth, Eng., Jan. 13, 1636, on his voyage hither; directed, “To all the true professors of Christ's Gospel within the city of Norwich.” In the postscript, he remarks, “my enemies conspired against me to take away my life, and, sometimes, to avoid their hands, my wife did hide me in the roof of the house, covering me over with straw.”

History informs us, that one of the charges, brought against Bishop Wren, by a Committee of Parliament, was, that during the term of 2 years and 4 months, while he held the See of Norwich, “3000 of his Majesty's subjects, many of whom used trades, spinning, weaving, knitting, making cloth, stuff, stockings, and other manufactures of wool; some of them setting a hundred poor people at work;” “transported themselves into Holland,” and “other parts, beyond the seas,” in consequence of his “superstition and tyranny.” [See Appendix to Dr. Lamson's Hist. Discourses.]

Michael Metcalf was admitted a townsman at Dedham, July 14, 1637; joined the church in 1639; and was Selectman in 1641. His name stands first, on the Committee, chosen to “contrive the fabricke of a meetinghouse.” His wife, Sarah, died Nov. 30, 1644; m. 2^d widow Mary Pidge, of Roxbury, Aug 13, 1645.

In 1661, Robert Ware, exchanged land, near the brick kiln; bricks being manufactured here at an early period. “One of the principal clay pits, was on land of Michael Metcalf, on Dedham Island.”

Michael Metcalf, died, Dec. 27, 1664. Will proved, and an Inventory of his Estate taken, Feb. 1, 1664-5. £364. 18. 05.

Inventory of the Estate of Michael Metcalfe, Jun. made, 31, 1. 1654. Power of Administration, granted, 26 April 1654, to Mary, his widow, “in behalf of her selfe and fiue children.”

The following is an Abstract of the Will of Michaell Metcalfe. 15. 9. 1664.

Michael Metcalfe senior, of Dedham, being aged, Doe make this my Last will. Wheras, there is a Couenant Between my selfe and Mary my Wife, made before our marriage, bearing Date the 13^th of August 1645, wherein it may appear that she reserued to her selfe, and to her dispose, her Lands, and Estate, so that I receiued no Estate, with her yet neuerthelesse, I giue unto her ffor the terme of her widowhood, in household stuffe, and other goods, as shee thinkes meete to Chuse, for her use, not exceeding the ualue of sixteene pounds, and being not such as I shall particularly otherwise Dispose of, in this my Last will; which household stuffe, so Chosen by her, shall Bee to ffurnishe the Roome, which my Executor shall prepare for her, at his house, to Receiue her into, after my Decease. All which household stuffe and goods, I giue to my Executor, to haue, after the Decease of my wife. Unto my wife, six pounds, to be paid to her, within one moneth after my Decease, in Currant pay. Unto Sonne John Metcalfe, of Medfeild, one ffeather bed & Bolster, my second Book of Martyrs, M^r Perkins second Book, Luther on the gala; one siluer spoone, one pair of sheets, one Long Chest, in the upper Chamber, one Diaper Boardcloth. Unto my Executor & his Heires, all that my Land in Naponset plaine, and three Acres Laying in y^e Low plaine, next Peter Woodwards. Also, halfe my Diuident in y^e Cedar swampe, neer the Saw mill, & 3 Commons & y^e odde. Unto my Grandchild, Michael Metcalfe, the Elder, all that my Land and Improuements within the Lott I Dwell in, my three acres in y^e wigwaom plaine, my swompe next my house, prouided he giue my Executor that Litle parcell of his swampe west end of his house, otherwise my gifte to be uoyd. Also I give him my Naticke Diuidend of twenty three acres, more or Lesse; four Cow Commons; halfe my Cedar swampe, at the Saw mill; my wood Land, at the West end of the Towne; all the particulars I haue belonging to husbandry, in one Kind or another; all the Remainer of my Household stuffe not Disposed of in this my Will. Also my first Book of Martyrs, M^r Perkins ffirst Booke, one siluer spoone. To my Daughter Wilson, ffortye shillings. To my Daughter Elizabeth Bancrafte, ffiue pounds. To my Daughter, Martha Stow, twenty shillings. To my Daughter, Joane Waker, forty shillings. To my Daughter Rebecca Mackentosh, ffiue pounds. To my wife's Daughter, Martha Bullerd, twenty shillings. To my Daughter, Sarah Onion, three pounds. All which six Legacyes, Last named, shall bee paid at, in, or Before, the second March next after my Decease, in Current payment.

To my Daughter Stowes Eldest sonne, which she had by her first husband, W^m Brignall, ffour pounds, to bee paid him, when he shall attayne to Lawful age. To my Grandchild, abovesaid, Jno. Mackintosh & Robert Onyon, all my wearing apparell, to bee equally diuided by my Execut^r, in order as their names bee heer set Downe; my Granchild to choose ffirst: —To my Granchild, abouesaid, all the Lumber in my House. Moreouer, if any of y^e p sons that are Legatees in ys my present will, shall by themselues, or by any others, make, or Cause to bee made, any Disturbance, or Contortion, in word or Deed, in Reference to any thing given, in this my will; then, all that Legacye, to that p son, shall be utterly uoyde. Thomas Metcalfe, of Dedham, my sonne, to be my executor, to whom I giue all the Rest of my Lands and Goods, not formerly Disposed of.

Michael Metcalfe.

Before the witnessing hereof, I giue to my Grandchild abouesaid, my single acre of Meddow, also my Largest gray Horsmans Coate, also two oxen, one Cow, to bee Deliuered to him at Lawfull age. All the Books, aforesaid, giuen to my sonne John, after his Death, I giue them to his sonne Michael, my Grand childe.

Signed and sealed in the presence of us,
Peter X Woodward
His Marke                                                                  Edward Rawson, Recorder.
Jonathan ffairbanke.

Children of MICHAEL¹ and SARAH¹ Metcalf, all born in England, were,

(2.) I. Michael,² b. Nov 13, 1617, died young, in England.
(3.) II. Mary, ² 8 b. Feb 14, 1618, m. Henry Wilson, Nov 24th, 1642.
(4) III. Michael, ² (13.) b. Aug 29, 1620, m. Mary, dau. of John Fairbanks, senr. April 2, 1644, d. in Dedham, Dec. 24, 1654.
(5) IV. John, ² (18.) b. Sep 5, 1622, m. Mary, dau. of Francis Chickering, March 22, 1647, d. Nov. 27, 1675.
(6.) V. Sarah, ² b. Sep 10, 1624, m. Robert Onion, of Dedham.
(7) VI. Elizabeth, ² b. Oct 4, 1626, m. Thomas Bancroft, of Reading, Sep 15, 1648.
(8) VII. Martha, ² b. March 27, 1628, m. 1st. Wm. Brignall, 2d. Christopher Smith, Aug. 2, 1654, 3d             Stow.
(9.) VIII. Thomas, ² (22.) b. Dec. 27, 1629, m. 1st  Sarah Paige, Sep. 12, 1655 or 6, 2d Anne Paine, Dec. 2, 1679. He was Deac. at Dedham; d. Nov. 16, 1702.
(10.) IX. Ann, ² b. March 1, 1631, died young, in England.
(11.) X. Jane, ² b. March 24, 1632, m. Samuel Walker, of Rehoboth.
(12.) XI. Rebeka, ² b. April 5, 1635, m. John Mackintosh, of Dedham, April 5, 1659.
…

*Or, “Dornick, a kind of Stuff used for Curtains, Carpets and Hangings, so called from Doornick or Tournay, a City in Flanders, where it was first made.”— Phillips’ Dic. London, 1706

Source: Harris, Dr. Luther Metcalf, "Metcalf Family," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 6, Apr 1852, pgs. 171-178 (171-173 inclusive).

England Births and Christenings

Name:    Thomas Medcalf
Gender:    Male
Christening Date:    01 Jan 1629
Christening Place:    SAINT EDMUND,NORWICH,NORFOLK,ENGLAND
Father's Name:    Michaell Medcalf   
Mother's Name:    Sara   
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:    C04824-1
System Origin:    England-ODM
GS Film number:    993665

Source: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NRZK-D7M : 30 December 2014), Thomas Medcalf, 01 Jan 1629; citing SAINT EDMUND,NORWICH,NORFOLK,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 993,665.

Name:    Anne Metcalfe
Gender:    Female
Christening Date:    04 Mar 1631
Christening Place:    SAINT EDMUND,NORWICH,NORFOLK,ENGLAND
Father's Name:    Michaell Metcalfe
Mother's Name:    Sara   
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:    C04824-1
System Origin:    England-ODM
GS Film number:    993665

Source: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NBXZ-SL1 : 30 December 2014), Anne Metcalfe, 04 Mar 1631; citing SAINT EDMUND,NORWICH,NORFOLK,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 993,665.

Norfolk, England Church of England Baptism, Marriages, and Burials

Name:    Jane Metcalfe
Birth Date:    Abt 1633
Baptism Date:    21 Mar 1633
Baptism Place:    Norwich, St Clement and St Edmund, Norfolk, England
Parish:    Norwich, St Clement and St Edmund
Event Type:    Baptism
Father:    Michell Metcalfe
Mother:    Sara Metcalfe

Name:    Metcalfe
Birth Date:    Abt 1634
Baptism Date:    12 Apr 1634
Baptism Place:    Norwich, St Clement and St Edmund, Norfolk, England
Parish:    Norwich, St Clement and St Edmund
Event Type:    Baptism
Father:    Michael Metcalfe

Source: Ancestry.com. Norfolk, England, Church of England Baptism, Marriages, and Burials, 1535-1812 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Church of England Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office, Norwich, Norfolk, England.

England Select Births and Christenings

Name:    Rebecka Metcalfe
Gender:    Female
Baptism Date:    12 Apr 1635
Baptism Place:    Saint Edmund,Norwich,Norfolk,England
Father:    Michael Metcalfe
FHL Film Number:    993665

Source: Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

Genealogical Research in England: Metcalf

...
From Depositions in the Diocesan Registry, Norwich
...
1635
Michael Metcalfe of Norwich, dornick weaver, aged 45 years, born at Tatterford, co. Norfolk, testifies regarding the practices of the clergyman of St. Edmund's, Norwich. (Ib. [Deposition Book], 1635)
...

Source: Excerpt from Banks, Charles Edward, "Genealogical Research in England: Metcalf," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 80 (Jul 1926), pgs. 312-313.

The Elwyns of Norfolk

OLD HEIGHAM (ST. BARTHOLOMEW) PARISH REGISTER.
...
Baptisms.
...
1593 June 17 Sara Ellwin, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth.
...

Marriages.
...
1616 Oct. 13 Mihell Medcalfe and Sara Elvin.
...

EXTRACT FROM THE FIRST CHURCH RECORDS, DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.
"Sarah ye Wyfe of our Brother Michel Metcalfe Sen. died comfortably November ye 30th 1644 aged fiftie one years five months and thirteen
days. She was born at Heigham near Norwich 17 June 1593 and married 13 October 1616."
...

Source: Moriarty, G. Andrews, "The Elwyns of Norfolk," Miscellanea Genelogica et Heraldica, 5th series, Vol. 6, London: Mitchell Hughes and Clarke, 1926-28, pgs. 17-32.

Massachusetts Town and Vital Records

Name:    Michaell Metcalfe
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    29 Dec 1664
Death Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts

Name:    Michaell Metcalfe
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    1652
Death Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts

Name:    John Metcalf
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    27 Sep 1675
Death Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts

Name:    Mary Chickering
Event Type:    Birth
Birth Date:    10 Apr 1648
Birth Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts
Father Name:    Francis Chickering
Mother Name:    An Chickering

Name:    Sarah Onion
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    25 Feb 1671
Death Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts

Name:    Robert Onyon
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    22 Nov 1673
Death Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts

Name:    Thomas Bancroft
Event Type:    Marriage
Marriage Date:    15 Sep 1648
Marriage Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    Elizabeth Metcalf

Name:    Martha Stow
Event Type:    Death
Birth Date:    abt 1627
Death Date:    26 Dec 1717
Death Place:    Concord, Massachusetts
Death Age:    90
Spouse Name:    Nathanill Stow

Name:    Nathaniel Stow
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    30 Mar 1684
Death Place:    Concord, Massachusetts

Name:    Thomas Metcalfe
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    16 Nov 1702
Death Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts

Name:    Sarah Paige
Event Type:    Marriage
Marriage Date:    12 Sep 1656
Marriage Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    Thomas Metcalf

Name:    An Chickering
Event Type:    Marriage
Marriage Date:    3 Nov 1652
Marriage Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    Stephen Paine

Name:    Jane Polley
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    24 Oct 1701
Death Place:    Roxbury, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    John

Name:    Mr Thomas Medselfe
Event Type:    Marriage
Marriage Date:    2 Dec 1679
Marriage Place:    Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    Ann Paine

Name:    Decon Philip Walker
Event Type:    Death
Death Place:    Rehoboth, Massachusetts
[Text: Anno 1679. Burialls. …Walker    Decon Philip, the 21st of August.]

Name:    John Polley
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    2 Apr 1689
Death Place:    Roxbury, Massachusetts

Name:    Rebecca Metcalf
Event Type:    Marriage
Marriage Date:    5 Apr 1659
Marriage Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    John Mackintock

Name:    John Mackintosh
Event Type:    Death
Death Date:    22 Aug 1691
Death Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts

Name:    Mary Metcalf
Event Type:    Marriage
Marriage Date:    24 Nov 1642
Marriage Place:    Dedham, Massachusetts
Spouse Name:    Henry Alison
[Note: Transcribed as Henry Alison but Henry Wilson in the original record. MB]

Source: Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook).

Dedham, MA: Vital Records

1644...Michael Metcalfe & Mary Fairebanke, were married the 2 of the 2 mo.

Source: Dedham, MA: Vital Records, 1635 - 1845 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007), (The Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths, and Intentions of Marriage, in the Town of Dedham. Volumes 1 & 2. Edited by Don Gleason Hill, Dedham, MA, 1886.)

Massachusetts Town Marriage Records

Name:           Nathan Stow
Spouse:         Martha Bicknell
Marriage Date:       Aug 1662
Marriage Place:     Concord
Source:          Vital Records of Concord
Full text:         STOW, Nathan & Martha Bicknell, 20 Aug, 1662.

Name:           Mary Metcalf
Spouse:         Henry Wilson
Marriage Place:     Dover
Source:          Vital Records of Dover
Full text:         METCALF, Mary of Norwich, Eng., and Henry Wilson of Kent, Eng., --.

Source: New England Historic Genealogical Society. Massachusetts, Town Marriage Records, 1620-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.

Rehoboth, Massachusetts Vital Records

Name: Decon Philip Walker
Death Date: abt 1679
Burial Date:  21 Aug 1679
Source: Vital Record of Rehoboth, 1642-1896. Marriages, Intentions, Births, Deaths, with Supplement containing the Record of 1896, Colonial Returns, Lists of the Early Settlers, Purchasers, Freemen, Inhabitants, the Soldiers serving in Philip's War and the Revolution. Deaths

Source: Ancestry.com. Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Vital Records, 1642-1896 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2000. Original data: Arnold, James N. Vital Record of Rehoboth, 1642-1896. Providence, RI, USA: Narragansett Historical Publishing, 1897.

Copies of probate records are shown below as thumbnails. Click on each thumbnail to view a larger version of the record in another tab.

Probate for Jane (Metcalf) (Walker) Polley:

Source: Bristol County (Mass.) Probate Records 1690-1881; Author: Bristol County (Massachusetts). Register of Probate; Probate Place: Bristol, Massachusetts. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Massachusetts County, District and Probate Courts.

Page 25:

Inv. of Est. of Widow Jane Polley of Reho., formerly wife of Philip Walker of Reho., dtd. 21 March 1702. Apprs: Samuel Peck, Steven Paine & Daniel Smith. Pres. by her son Lt. Samuel Walker [2:46].

Page 26:

Agrmt. & div. of Est. of Jane Polley of Roxbury, mother of Samuel & Philip Walker of Rehoboth; Henry Sweet of Attl. in behalf of his wife Elizebeth; Ebenezer Walker & said Samuel Walker as guard. of chldn. of Abraham Peren of Reho. dcd. Witns: Hezekiah Luther, Thomas Bowen & Hugh Cole [2:57/8].
 
Source: H. L. Peter Rounds, C.G., Abstracts of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate Records, 1687-1745 (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.; Baltimore, MD; 1988).

The Founders of New England

Aprill 8th 1637. The examinacion of Michill Metcalfe of Norwich, Dornix weauer, aged 45 yeares and Sarrah his wife, aged 39 yeares, with 8 Children, Michill: Thomas: Marey: Sarrah: Elizabeth: Martha: Joane: and Rebeca: and his Saruant Thomas Comberbach, aged 16 yeares, are desirous to passe to boston in New England to inhabit

Source: "The Founders of New England," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 14, No. 4, Oct 1860, 325.

U.S. and Canada Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s

Name: Michael Metcalf
Birth Year: abt 1592
Arrival Year: 1637
Arrival Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Age: 45
Source Publication Code: 263
Primary Immigrant: Metcalf, Michael
Annotation: Part 1, pp. 1-43, is a study of emigration to New England in colonial times; part 2, pp. 45-207, lists passengers and the ships they arrived on (3,600 passengers on 213 ships). From the Custom House records of English ports. Much of the information is contained in nos. 7906 and 7907, Savage; nos. 1672 and 1674, Drake; and no. 3283, Hotten.
Source Bibliography: BANKS, CHARLES EDWARD. The Planters of the Commonwealth; a Study of the Emigrants and Emigration in Colonial Times: To Which Are Added Lists of Passengers to Boston and to the Bay Colony; the Ships which Brought Them; Their English Homes, and the Places of Their Settlement in Massachusetts, 1620-1640. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1930. 231p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1961. Repr. 1984.
Page: 184

Name: Michael Metcalf
Birth Year: abt 1592
Arrival Year: 1637
Arrival Place: New England
Age: 45
Family Members: Wife Sarah 39; Child Joane; Child Rebecca; Child Martha; Child Elizabeth; Child Michael; Child Thomas; Child Sarah; Child Mary
Source Publication Code: 6799.25
Primary Immigrant: Metcalf, Michael
Annotation: Most are date and port of arrival; some are date and place of settlement in Massachusetts. Name of ship, place of origin, occupation, and other genealogical data pertaining to will administration may also be provided.
Source Bibliography: POPE, CHARLES HENRY. The Pioneers of Massachusetts, A Descriptive List, Drawn from Records of the Colonies, Towns and Churches, and other Contemporaneous Documents. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1998. 550p.
Page: 312

Name: Michael Metcalf
Birth Year: abt 1620
Arrival Year: 1637
Arrival Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Age: 17
Source Publication Code: 263
Primary Immigrant: Metcalf, Michael, Jr
Annotation: Part 1, pp. 1-43, is a study of emigration to New England in colonial times; part 2, pp. 45-207, lists passengers and the ships they arrived on (3,600 passengers on 213 ships). From the Custom House records of English ports. Much of the information is contained in nos. 7906 and 7907, Savage; nos. 1672 and 1674, Drake; and no. 3283, Hotten.
Source Bibliography: BANKS, CHARLES EDWARD. The Planters of the Commonwealth; a Study of the Emigrants and Emigration in Colonial Times: To Which Are Added Lists of Passengers to Boston and to the Bay Colony; the Ships which Brought Them; Their English Homes, and the Places of Their Settlement in Massachusetts, 1620-1640. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1930. 231p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1961. Repr. 1984.
Page: 184

Source: Ancestry.com. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010. Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012.

Photos are shown below as thumbnails. Click on each thumbnail to view a larger version of the photo in another tab.

Old Hill Burying Ground, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Old Village Cemetery, Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts

Newman Cemetery, East Providence, Providence, Rhode Island